Pakistan’s new assembly speaker highlights vital US ties amid absence of top-level contact

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s newly elected National Assembly speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq described his country’s relationship with the United States as a vital element of its foreign policy during a meeting with US Ambassador Donald Blome on Saturday.
The US-Pakistan relationship has experienced fluctuations over the decades, characterized by periods of close partnership and notable estrangement, reflecting the complex interplay of global politics and regional dynamics.
Despite Islamabad’s recent initiatives to enhance and deepen its ties with Washington, President Joe Biden’s administration has exhibited reluctance for top-level engagement, a stance that became apparent during the tenure of former prime minister Imran Khan.
“During the meeting, the Speaker reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding and broad-based relationship with the United States, based on principles of mutual respect and trust,” the state-owned Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency reported.
“Ayaz Sadiq highlighted that Pakistan’s relations with the United States constitute an important element of its foreign policy,” it added.
Their discussion also focused on the importance of parliamentary cooperation, with Sadiq stressing the need for regular visits and interactions between members of parliaments from both countries to further strengthen the relationship.
Ambassador Blome also held a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif a day earlier in which he highlighted Washington’s continued commitment to assist Pakistan with its financial and regional security challenges.